Feb. 19, 2010

Box Score vs. Virginia Tech

Box Score vs. Bowling Green State

ATHENS, Ga. - Western Carolina softball (0-2) dropped a pair of games Friday in the opening day of the Black and Red Showcase hosted by the University of Georgia. The Catamounts fell to Virginia Tech 14-3 and Bowling Green State 10-5.

After giving up four unanswered runs in the first three innings against Virginia Tech, the Catamounts pulled within one run in the bottom of the third. After a bunt single and stealing second, Jordan Fulton scored off an RBI triple by senior Kristen Gay. Amber Hawkins doubled to left field to score Gay and then Hawkins moved into scoring position off a wild pitch. An RBI single by Shemkia Scotten scored Hawkins.

The Hookies pulled ahead and forced a shortened, five-inning game, scoring nine runs in the next two innings. Sophomore Katie King got the starting nod and dropped to 0-1 on the season, giving up 10 runs on 12 hits and striking out one. Freshman hurler Amber Steinhardt saw 0.2 innings of work, replacing King in the fifth inning, allowing four runs on five hits.

Fulton went 3-for-3 in the game and scored one run.

In the second game of the day, Western Carolina jumped on Bowling Green State early, scoring five runs in the top of the first. With one out, Gay got things started with a single to right field, and scored on an RBI triple by sophomore Chelsea Schaffer. Hawkins followed with her second RBI double of the day plating Schaffer. Freshman Colby Liles drew a walk, which led to an RBI single by Steinhardt. Liles and Steinhardt scored off a two RBI double by senior catcher Danielle Reese.

Western Carolina gave the starting nod to Steinhardt who tossed two scoreless innings, before Bowling Green State scored 10 unanswered runs. After getting five hits in the first inning, Western Carolina had just three hits in the final six innings of the game.

Steinhardt went 5.2 innings giving up nine runs on 10 hits and striking out three. Burkett faced one batter in the top of the seventh inning. Robyn Burnette went 2-for-3 in the game.

Western Carolina will face host Georgia at 4:45 p.m. Saturday.